Reykjavík tours and tickets
Reykjavík is small, and the city sights are quick to see. The bookings are outside it: the Blue Lagoon needs a timed entry weeks ahead in summer, and the Golden Circle and south coast tours sell out in high season. Whale watching and northern lights tours depend on the weather, so book early and keep a spare day. Hot pools and museums need no notice.
Book these first
- Blue Lagoon entry
- 2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer. Tickets are timed and sell out, and a late booking costs you your preferred slot.
- Day tours to the Golden Circle and south coast
- 1 to 2 weeks ahead. Small-group departures fill in summer and over winter holidays, and winter tours can be canceled for weather.
- A table for dinner at a well-known restaurant
- 1 to 2 weeks ahead. The city is small and the best rooms have few seats, more so at weekends.
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Day trips
Golden Circle
A loop of about 300 km taking in Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot spring area and Gullfoss waterfall. Standard tours last six to eight hours, and small-group and super jeep versions are sold.
Which to pick. Take a small-group tour if you do not want to drive in winter. In summer a rental car gives freedom, but the day is long.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorSouth coast
Waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara and the village of Vík, usually done as a long day from the city. Glacier walks and ice cave trips are add-ons.
Which to pick. Choose a tour with a guide in winter, when roads and beaches are dangerous. In summer a car is a fine choice if you leave early.
1 to 2 weeks aheadTours and tickets on ViatorBlue Lagoon
A geothermal spa in a lava field near the airport, with milky blue water, a swim-up bar and a range of ticket levels. Entry is by timed slot, and the lagoon often sells out.
Which to pick. Book a slot first, then build the rest of the day around it. Late evening slots in summer are quieter, and it suits a flight day.
2 to 4 weeks ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorSnaefellsnes peninsula
A day trip to the west with black church at Búðir, sea cliffs, lava fields and the Kirkjufell mountain. It shows Iceland in miniature.
Which to pick. Choose it if you have a spare day and want fewer crowds than the Golden Circle. A car makes it flexible.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Outdoors
Whale watching and puffin trips
Boats leave from the old harbor for two to three hours, looking for minke whales, dolphins and, in summer, puffins on a nearby island. Sightings are common but not guaranteed.
Which to pick. Choose a larger boat with a covered deck on cold days. Many operators let you rebook if no whales appear.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorNorthern lights tour
Coaches or small vans take you out of the city lights to chase clear skies, from autumn to early spring. Trips run at night and are canceled when the forecast is poor.
Which to pick. Book on your first night so you have spare nights if it is canceled. Wear layers, and choose a small group.
Book early in your stayTours and tickets on ViatorGlacier walk or ice cave
A guided walk on an outlet glacier with crampons and an ice axe, or an ice cave visit in winter. Day trips usually start from the south coast.
Which to pick. Pick a guide company with clear safety rules. Wear boots and warm layers, and keep your schedule loose.
1 to 2 weeks aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Churches and palaces
Hallgrímskirkja
The tall concrete church on the hill, with a lift to the tower and a view over the colored roofs. Entry to the church is free, and the tower has its own ticket.
Which to pick. Go up the tower on a clear day. Check the opening hours, since concerts and services affect them.
Harpa concert hall
A glass concert hall on the waterfront, with guided tours of the building and a program of concerts and shows in the evenings.
Which to pick. Join a short tour, or book a concert if one fits your dates. Concert tickets sell out for major acts.
A few days ahead for concertsVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
National Museum of Iceland
A museum of the country's history from the Settlement to the present, with Viking-age objects and a good audio guide. It's a good rainy-day plan.
Which to pick. Buy at the door and allow two hours. Visit before the Golden Circle to understand what you are seeing.
Not needed, buy at the doorVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorGeothermal pool
Neighborhood pools with hot tubs and steam, used by locals every day. They are the cheap alternative to a spa, and the city has several.
Which to pick. Go in the evening with a swimsuit and a towel. Shower without a suit first, as the signs explain.
Not neededOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Reykjavík
- Reykjavík City CardA visitor card covering city pools, many museums and public buses for a set number of hours. It suits a short stay with several museum visits and pools, and not a stay built around tours outside the city. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Reykjavík
Do I need to book the Blue Lagoon in advance?
Yes, in most months. Entry is by timed slot and the lagoon sells out, especially in summer and on flight days. Book weeks ahead.
Are northern lights tours guaranteed?
No. They depend on clear skies and solar activity, and are canceled on poor forecasts. Book on your first night and keep a spare.
Should I join a tour or drive myself?
Drive yourself in summer if you are confident. In winter, tours are safer, because of ice, wind and short days.
Is the City Card worth it?
It is, if you plan several museums and pool visits. It doesn't cover tours outside the city, so a Golden Circle day is separate.
What should I wear on a whale boat?
Warm layers, a windproof coat and a hat, even in July. Most operators lend overalls. Sea sickness tablets help on rough days.
What can I leave until I arrive?
The church, the museum, pools and a harbor walk can be done on the day. Book the Blue Lagoon, day tours and aurora trips first.